NEWARK -- Wearing a black hoodie and white shorts, he humbly entered the backstage of the venue, by himself, no entourage, as if he were just another member of the community.

But that was because Vin Rock, vocalist for the Grammy Award-winning trio, Naughty by Nature, was just another member of the community. He arrived Saturday night at the Newark Celebration 350 Founders Weekend Festival, celebrating the city's 350-year history. Vin Rock still lives in East Orange today where his group, led by rapper Treach, along with DJ Kay Gee, emerged in the late 1980s.

The concert was held in the 147-year-old Military Park in downtown Newark.

The concert followed a festival in the afternoon, and the event was part of a weekend-long jubilee free to all with musical performances by Newark and local natives, including Faith Evans, who performed the night before.

As the trio took the stage and began singing their hit song, "O.P.P," the crowd of hundreds erupted and cheered.

Vin Rock said to this day, all the members of the group stay close to the community.

"We always kept a rapport," said Vin Rock, referring to residents and leaders of East Orange, which borders Newark.

Vin Rock said he'd been working a lot with his community to bring a recreation center to the youth in East Orange.

Rah Digga, rapper, actress and former member of the Flipmode Squad, also headlined Saturday night. As a Newark native, she said she was excited to be back in her home city.

"As a Brick City native, I feel like it's my duty," she said backstage. "I always had a home here."

The event hosted a diverse collection of musical genres; the U.S. Air Force's premier jazz band from Washington performed, as did the Grammy Award-winning group the Robert Glasper Experiment, along with soul singer and songwriter Angela Johnson.

Junius Williams, chairman of NC350, said there was something for everyone at the event.

"It's an opportunity for people from all walks of life to celebrate," Williams said.

As for Newark, Vin Rock said he was hopeful for the city's future.

"I think it's evolving," he said.

Naughty by Nature will hold a free concert in East Orange on the Fourth of July.